How to use Orencia subcutaneous

Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions for Use provided by your pharmacist before you start receiving abatacept and each time you get a treatment. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This drug is given by injection under the skin of your thigh, abdomen, or upper arm as directed by your doctor, usually once a week. Your doctor may direct you to first receive abatacept by injection into a vein (loading dose) before starting treatment with this form of the medication. If you are switching from regularly scheduled injections into a vein, carefully follow your doctor's directions for when to start using this medication (usually instead of the next scheduled dose).

Remove this medication from the refrigerator and leave it at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes before injecting. Do not warm up this medication any other way. For example, do not heat it in the microwave or place it in hot water.

If you are using this medication at home, read and learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid.

Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. Change the injection site each time to lessen injury under the skin. Do not inject into any areas of skin that are sore, bruised, red, scaly, or hard.

Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Never reuse syringes or needles. Consult your pharmacist.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, mark your calendar to keep track of when you need to receive the next dose.

Side Effects

Headache, nausea, diarrhea, or cold/flu symptoms (such as runny nose, congestion) may occur. Pain, irritation, or swelling at/near the injection site may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: shortness of breath, change in the amount of urine.

Because abatacept works by weakening the immune system, it may lower your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any signs of infection (such as cough, sore throat, fever, chills, pain when urinating).

Precautions

Before using abatacept, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Abatacept can make you more likely to get infections or may worsen any current infections. Therefore, wash your hands well to prevent the spread of infection. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

While you are using this medication and for 3 months after stopping this medication, do not have immunizations or vaccinations without the consent of your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

Children using this medication should have all recommended vaccinations before starting treatment with abatacept. Ask the child's doctor for details.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: other drugs that may weaken the immune system (such as anakinra, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, tofacitinib, TNF blocking drugs including adalimumab/etanercept/infliximab).

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as tuberculosis skin test, test for hepatitis B virus) should be performed before you start treatment, and periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor to establish a new dosing schedule.

Storage

Store this medication in the refrigerator between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C) away from light. Do not freeze. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised March 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.

Treatment by Condition Related to Orencia subcutaneous

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, expect as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

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